After seemingly a bajillion years in development, running through directors like how Flash runs through hamburgers, The Flash movie has finally been released in theaters. It’s not doing well at the box office at all, and is likely to be another flop for DC Comics on the big screen. So be it. I went into this movie prepared to dislike it, but found myself generally entertained.

Movie Rating: 6/10 – Pretty Good

I am no fan of the Snyderverse. It means nothing to me, especially at this point. I have generally liked the Flash in his Justice League movie appearances, and I’m all for a Flash solo movie. I think it’s silly they went for Flashpoint again. The Flash has been published continuously for decades, but the only story anybody can adapt is one written a couple of years ago? And wasn’t that great to begin with? Ah well, who am I to complain?

Join me after the jump for my full thoughts and review on The Flash. Expect FULL SPOILERS for the whole movie. And feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments below.

6. I liked it, for the most part

The Flash is a solid superhero movie, with strong characters, good action and an overall coherent story. It has a very strong character story at its core, and that is the sort of thing that wins me over. The maturing journey of Barry Allen into a better man — especially with his younger, more annoying self as a sidekick — makes for a really good story. Surround that with a bunch of fun team ups and some solid superhero action, and you’ve got a good superhero movie on your hands. Simple as that.

I don’t think Zod worked all that well as the villain, nor did Evil Barry. The Marvel movies are far more coherent with this connected storytelling than the DC movies, so Marvel can get away with sending its heroes back to the Battle for New York in Avengers: Endgame. Nobody cares about Man of Steel all these years later, so sending Flash back to that moment is not all that impactful. But at least it made for some big, explosive superhero action, so it’s not entirely without fun.

It’s not The Flash’s fault that so many multiverse movies have been churned out recently…unless WB only made The Flash to capitalize on that “craze.” It’s definitely The Flash’s fault that they’re copying Spider-Man: No Way Home by bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman for no legitimate story reason. And it’s definitely The Flash’s fault that they have such terrible CGI. Ignore whatever spin the director is trying to display on social media. The CGI looks terrible and can really distract when it’s the focus of a scene. The Flash also puts a baby in a microwave. Just saying.

5. Ezra Miller was probably the best part

I’ll just put it out there: Ezra Miller did a great job in the lead role and the main supporting role. Simple as that. Barry Allen up against Barry Allen makes for a great team, with strong character development for both. Miller does a fine job playing against themselves and I have no real complaints. The characters are the focus of the film, and Miller handles the dual roles with aplomb to easily carry the film.

But there is no getting around how much of a dirtbag they are, mental health be damned. If people are boycotting the movie because of Miller’s criminal behavior last year, more power to them. I was able to separate the art from the artist this time around, but I completely understand if other people can’t or don’t want to. That reign of terror last year was nuts and WB and DC are right to cut all ties with Miller after this.

4. Flash still runs like a goober

He ran like a goober in the Justice League movies, and he runs like a goober now. Who thought this was a good idea? It doesn’t look like super speed. It looks like he’s doing some goober moves in place, and they’re CGI-moving the scenery around him. These long arm swings and weird, stilted leg movements look really , really dumb. I’m glad we won’t have to see them again.

3. Keaton as Batman does nothing for me

I watched the original Batman movies when I was a kid and I loved them as much as the next person, but they were 30 years ago. I have zero nostalgia for Michael Keaton as Batman. Granted, I haven’t watched them as an adult, so maybe they hold up and would refuel me? I dunno. So Keaton as Batman was not a selling point. And there was no story reason for Keaton as Batman in this movie. It was just a desperate grab at Spider-Man: No Way Home’s success. But people online were going wild for Keaton returning as Batman. Why? All it does is bring someone in to overshadow the actual star of the movie.

George Clooney returning as Bruce Wayne at least got a big chuckle out of me in the end. Glad that wasn’t spoiled for me, unlike the Nicholas Cage as Superman fighting a giant spider bit.

2. Supergirl was cool

I liked Sasha Calle as Supergirl in the movie, at least. I thought she did a fine job and had a cool costume. She was just a supporting character, so she didn’t need the spotlight or anything. But I think I would have been fine with her continuing on to get her own movie. Maybe she’ll get cast as Supergirl again for the Woman of Tomorrow movie coming to the DCU? Here’s hoping. But I’d also be fine if they recast. It’s no big deal to me either way.

1. Long live James Gunn

I’m glad the Snyderverse is dead and I’m all in favor of having James Gunn and his creative people start over from near scratch with the DCU. I know we’ve still got an Aquaman sequel coming out, and I’ll be glad to watch that. But thankfully we’re almost fully done with the rest of the Snyderverse. No more of this Flash. No more of this Superman and General Zod. No more weird Batman nonsense. No more of any of it. Begone, foul movie series! Bring on the Gunnverse!

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